Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 17, 2013

14

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

 Mountain Views News Saturday, August 17, 2013 

THE JOY OF YOGA

YOUR BACK


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by Lori Koop, Right Brain Business Coach 

“Have respect for yourself, and patience and compassion. With these you can 
handle anything.” – Jack Kornfield

Life is full of transitions: just as there are seasons in nature, there are seasons in 
life. They occur whether we want them to, or not.... 

. My sister’s youngest leaves for college.

. A friend loses a 25 year work routine.

. The kids return to school.

Some transitions are harder than others, but they all ask us to change. They 
require us to shift the way we see ourselves and our identity. This is known as 
“Square 1”… Death and Rebirth in the Cycle of Change. No, it’s usually not easy. As a matter of fact, 
it’s the place where most people seek Life Coach support. 

When a caterpillar begins its transformation into a butterfly, it doesn’t just grow wings. It creates a 
cocoon around itself and, within, turns to goo. It completely melts down into liquid form and then 
reforms as a butterfly. Our process is similar. The old self turns to goo. But the DNA is still there. In 
time, the new self emerges just as miraculously. And beautifully.

Here are some keys to managing “Square 1” transitions:

Recognize you are in transition and cut yourself some 
slack. Hang low. Allow yourself time to grieve. To feel 
the feelings of loss. To cocoon and reflect. Listen to 
your body. You may require more sleep, have less “doing” 
energy, and feel “emotional.” This is all normal. 
Be compassionate and patient with yourself. Don’t 
make any major decisions. Your new self is forming, 
and it requires time and self-care.

Grieve, but don’t get stuck in your story -- that will 
only prolong the trip. Work through your feelings, 
investigate beliefs, and don’t fight it! Allow the new 
You to emerge when the time is right. It will happen 
organically as you flow with the process.

Hang in there. The rewards are big. You are becoming 
a better You! Stronger. Deeper. Wiser. And on the 
other side, you will see more clearly. 

- - - - - - - - - -


Lori Koop, The Right Brain Business Coach

Reach your tru* potential! Schedule a complimentary 
coaching session at The Center for Wellbeing, 626-355-
2443. www.LORiKOOP.com


Is the tension in your shoulders and upper back? Is your low back sore? 
Did you injure your back or does it just get achy? Back problems are 
depressing! Either over time or all of a sudden, we can’t do what we want to be doing. If you have a 
back problem, yoga can help. If you want to prevent back problems, yoga can help. A strong back is 
the main reason that we do asana (the postures of yoga). This allows us to sit and meditate. So most 
of the physical work we do is geared to strengthening the back. Unfortunately, if you do it incorrectly, 
there is risk of pain or injury. If you have back issues, it is very important to go to a teacher that is 
very knowledgeable in this area. 

 Many peiople will say that they want to stretch out their backs. When the low back is tight, they 
fold over to their toes and strrrrreeeetch. This is the worst thing you can do. The little muscles of 
the low back are no match for the bigger tight hamstrings. Something has to give, and it may be 
your back. Gentle folds, done correctly with the knees very bent are much safer. Twisting may feel 
good too, but if the hips are not properly anchored, you can pull out the low back at the sacrum. If 
your shoulders round forward (while sitting at the computer?), the natural curves of your back are 
challenged. Overtime, this can really cause problems. So we all need to strengthen the muscles of 
the low back, but also the mid and upper spine. When the back is strong and flexible, there is a clear 
path for spinal fluid. When the spine is in good health, life is better. We walk taller, we sit more 
comfortably and we get to participate in the things we love to do. Oh yeah, then you can meditate 
comfortably also! 

Namasté, René


4 TIPS TO LIVE A TOXIC FREE LIFE 

by Dr. Tina 


Many of us are trying to do the right things to lead healthy lives. We 
always wear our seatbelts. We exercise regularly. We don’t smoke and we 
try to eat healthy. In our modern world these things may not be enough. 
Many chemicals that we are exposed to everyday may increase our risk of 
cancer. Unfortunately, when chemicals are tested for safety they are tested 
by themselves. In today’s world rarely is one chemical used by itself, rather 
they combine with many other chemicals. It is that chemical interaction 
that has many of us concerned. One toxin maybe harmless but regular 
does of many toxins may be another issue all together. 

1. Eat organic when possible. The pesticides on or in the food you 
consume are stored in your fatty tissue and organs. Tender flesh fruit like 
strawberries require lots of pesticides because they are close to the ground. 

2. Give up plastic water bottles and canned foods. Bisphenol A is found in many plastic water 
bottles, in some cling wraps and in the lining of many can goods. This chemical can increase the risk 
of breast and prostate cancers. Try fresh or frozen vegetables in place of canned ones (they taste better 
too). 

3. Leave your shoes at the door. Just think about the places you that you have walked through in 
a given day. Do you want 

to bring that in your home? Maybe you went to the grocery store. Not only did you walk through 
the store but you have to cross the parking lot too. Maybe while at the store you visited the restroom. 
Possible you walked across someone’s lawn laden with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The majority 
of dirt, pesticides and chemicals that come in our home, come in on our shoes. 

4. Forego cologne or perfume. I like wearing perfume BUT most of the chemicals used in 
fragrances are chemicals compounds that come from petroleum and are carcinogens like benzene. 
Many perfumes and beauty product fragrances have been found to contain phthalates which have been 
shown to cause birth defects. Keep in mind that what is in a fragrance is a trademark secret and is not 
listed on the label. You don’t have to give up all perfumes there are wonderful perfumes made from 
natural oils that are not harmful. 

Just a few simple changes in lifestyle can go a long way to living a more toxic free life!


BE A HEALER by Dennis R. Buckley, D.C.

 


When you cut yourself, you can clean the wound, have it stitched up 
and/or cover it up with a protective covering and in about two weeks, 
the wound heals. This is the body's most amazing function; the ability 
to heal itself. Likewise when you get a cold or flu, your body fights the 
virus and after a while you recover.

The body is a self healing organism if it is put in the right environment. What is this environment?

The proper environment is one in which our lifestyle contributes to the body's ability to heal itself. 
This includes exercise, proper nutrition, sleep, good posture, a positive attitude and a fully functioning 
spine and nervous system. Address these six areas regularly and you will put your body in an 
ideal environment to prevent illness and injury and if you do become sick or injured you will heal 
much faster.

There are also secondary things you can do to optimize your body's healing environment. Do not 
smoke; keep alcohol consumption to a minimum; do not use illegal drugs or use legal drugs illegally; 
drink plenty of clean, pure water; avoid risky behavior; get regular check-ups of your health from 
your doctor(s); avoid soda and other high sugar drinks and foods; avoid snack foods high in preservatives; 
make your diet consist primarily of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes 
while minimizing animal protein; and do not forget to look outside yourself by contributing to your 
family, your community and the world.

As you care for yourself and optimize your health, do not forget to look for others to help. In life 
people mysteriously enter into our life when we need help or we enter their life when they need help. 
Be on the lookout in ways to help others. Be a contributor to your community by caring enough to 
take the time to listen, lift up, lighten and love others. This to is part of the ways you create the proper 
balance in your life and allows your body to optimize its performance.

Dr. Tina is a traditional naturopath and nutritionist at Vibrant Living Wellness Center


SIERRA MADRE FARMERS MARKET 

The Sierra Madre Farmer’s Market hours have changed to 3:00pm through 
7:00pm every Wednesday in fall and winter. Vendors include Dry Dock 
which has fresh and wild caught fish, Rustic Loaf with artisan breads, Cutie 
Pie with fresh pies and much more!

For those interested in being a vendor contact Melissa Farwell with Raw 

Inspirations at 818-591-8161 ext. 806.